METHOD FOR CONTROLLING WRAPPING OPERATIONS

Abstract

A method for controlling, through a mobile device, wrapping operations in a wrapper for wrapping a round bale with a film, comprises the following steps, performed by a processor of the mobile device: coupling the mobile device to a control unit of the wrapper, by sending a coupling signal to the control unit; receiving control inputs from a user, through an interaction of the user with the mobile device; elaborating the control inputs and generating, based on the control inputs, a command message; sending the command message to the control unit of the wrapper; receiving, at the processor of the mobile device, operation data from the control unit of the wrapper, the operation data being representative of operations performed by the wrapper.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A method for controlling, through a mobile device, wrapping operations in a wrapper for wrapping a round bale with a film, the method comprising the following steps, performed by a processor of the mobile device: coupling the mobile device to a control unit of the wrapper, by sending a coupling signal to the control unit; receiving control inputs from a user, through an interaction of the user with the mobile device; elaborating the control inputs and generating, based on the control inputs, a command message; sending the command message to the control unit of the wrapper; and receiving, at the processor of the mobile device, operation data from the control unit of the wrapper, the operation data being representative of operations performed by the wrapper.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the operations performed by the wrapper include one or more of the following operations: opening a pair of rollers of the wrapper; closing the pair of rollers of the wrapper; opening a cutting unit of the wrapper; closing the cutting unit of the wrapper; rotating the pair of rollers; rotating a wrapper satellite around the bale to be wrapped; rotating a working table around a first axes, perpendicular to the ground; rotating the working table around a second axis between a working position, wherein the working table arm supports the bale during wrapping operation, and a lowering position, wherein the working table releases the wrapped bale on the ground; rotating a lifting arm around a respective hinge between a loading position, wherein the lifting arm is on the ground to catch the bale, and an unloading position, wherein the lifting arm is raised above the ground, to release the bale on the working table, said one or more operations being performed by respective actuators, which are controlled by the control unit of the wrapper through command signals.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the command message includes instructions for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to carry out at least one of said operations through the actuators.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the instructions of the command message are configured for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to carry out autonomously at least one of said operations through the actuators.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the instructions of the command message are configured for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to carry out autonomously a sequence of operations among said operations.

25. The method according to claim 20, comprising a step of counting, wherein the operation data is representative of the wrapping of a bale and wherein the processor counts the number of wrapped bales in a predetermined interval of time.

26. The method according to claim 25, comprising a step of resetting, wherein the processor sets the number of wrapped bales to zero.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the instructions of the command message are configured for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to actuate the wrapper satellite with a desired operational parameter.

28. The method according claim 27, wherein the desired operational parameter is a desired rotation speed or a desired turns number of the wrapper satellite, and wherein the instructions of the command message are configured for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to rotate the wrapper satellite at the desired rotation speed or for performing the desired turns number of the wrapper satellite.

29. The method according to claim 20, wherein the processor is configured to send the command message for instructing the control unit of the wrapper to perform a specific operation on the wrapper as long as the control input, representative of said specific operation, is continuously received by the processor, to perform the specific operation only when the user is actively sending the respective control input.

30. The method according to claim 20, comprising a step of displaying, wherein the processor generates graphic data and displays the graphic data in a display of the mobile device to provide the user with: one or more displaying element, representative of the operation data received from the control unit of the wrapper; one or more input button, to allow the user to insert the control input.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said one or more input button includes: rollers buttons, to set control input representative of an action to be done by the pair of rollers; satellite buttons, to set control input representative of an action to be done by the wrapper satellite; cutting buttons, to set control input representative of an action to be done by the cutting unit of the wrapper; automation buttons, to set control input representative of a command message for instructing the control unit to perform operations autonomously.

32. The method according to claim 20, wherein the command message is sent through an open Bluetooth connection to a Bluetooth interface, implemented in a CAN Bus of the wrapper control unit.

33. The method according to claim 20, wherein the command message includes an address and wherein the address is univocally associated to the mobile device.

34. The method according to claim 20, wherein the mobile device is wearable by the user.

35. A mobile device for controlling wrapping operations comprising: a processor, configured to perform the following steps: coupling the mobile device to a control unit of the wrapper, by sending a coupling signal to the control unit; receiving control inputs from a user, through an interaction of the user with the mobile device; elaborating the control inputs and generating, based on the control inputs, a command message; sending the command message to the control unit of the wrapper; and receiving, at the processor of the mobile device, operation data from the control unit of the wrapper, the operation data being representative of operations performed by the wrapper; and a user interface, including one or more input button, for sending control input to the processor, and a display, configured to receive graphic data from the processor, to show information about the wrapping operations.

36. The mobile device of claim 35, wherein the mobile device is wearable by the user.

37. A wrapping system comprising: a film coil, including a film to be applied around the bale; a pair of rollers, movable between a working position, wherein they rotate to support and put in rotation the bale under wrapping, and a rest position, wherein the wrapped bale is released on the ground; a wrapper satellite, connected to the film coil and movable around the bale to apply the film on the bale; a cutting unit, configured to cut the film; a control unit, configured to control operations of the wrapper, a mobile device for controlling wrapping operations, wherein the mobile device comprises: a processor, configured to perform the following steps: coupling the mobile device to a control unit of the wrapper, by sending a coupling signal to the control unit; receiving control inputs from a user, through an interaction of the user with the mobile device; elaborating the control inputs and generating, based on the control inputs, a command message; sending the command message to the control unit of the wrapper; receiving, at the processor of the mobile device, operation data from the control unit of the wrapper, the operation data being representative of operations performed by the wrapper; and a user interface, including one or more input button, for sending control input to the processor, and a display, configured to receive graphic data from the processor, to show information about the wrapping operations.

38. The wrapping system according to claim 37, wherein the control unit includes: a receiver, configured to receive command message from the mobile device; a main user interface, configured to allow the insertion of a main command message; and a main processor, configured to receive the main command message from the main user interface and the command message from the mobile device and configured to generate command signals, as a function of the main command message or the command message, to control the operations of the wrapper, wherein the main command message includes a first address and the command message includes a second address, different from the first address.

39. The wrapping system according to claim 38, wherein the operation data is representative of the wrapping of a bale and wherein the processor counts the number of wrapped bales in a predetermined interval of time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0076] This and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting example embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a wrapping system;

[0078] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate a first, a second, a third and a fourth screen view of a mobile device of the wrapping system of FIG. 1;

[0079] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a method for controlling a wrapping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0080] According to the attached figures, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling, through a mobile device 11, wrapping operations in a wrapper (system) 1 for wrapping a round bale B with a film.

[0081] The method includes a step of coupling F1. In the step of coupling F1, the mobile device 11 is connected (synchronized, coupled) with a control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1. The mobile device 11 send to the control unit a coupling signal, that is univocally linked to the mobile device 11. The control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1 controls the coupling signal and, based on the coupling signal, allows a connection with the mobile device 11. In one embodiment, once the mobile device 11 is connected to the control unit 10, the mobile device 11 is capable of controlling the wrapping operations as well as the control unit 10. The coupling signal is received through a Bluetooth interface (or wireless interface). The Bluetooth interface is connected with a CAN Bus, which is connected to a main processor of the control unit 10, to send the coupling signal to the main processor.

[0082] In one embodiment, the method includes a step of receiving F2 control inputs 101. The control inputs 101 are representative of controls inserted by on operator through the mobile device 11, preferably trough a display 111 of the mobile device 11. In other words, in one embodiment, the operator touches the display 111, emits a vocal sound or interacts with the mobile device 11 to send control input to the processor of the mobile device 11.

[0083] In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of elaborating the control inputs 101. The method comprises a step of generating F3 of command message 102, as a function of the control inputs 101 (preferably previously elaborated).

[0084] In one embodiment, the method includes a step of sending F4 the command message 102 to the control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1.

[0085] The command message 102 is received in the control unit 10 through the Bluetooth interface, which is connected to the CAN Bus and to the main processor.

[0086] In one embodiment, the method includes a step of receiving F5, at the processor of the mobile device 11, operation data 103, representative of operations performed by the wrapping system.

[0087] The operations performed by the wrapping system include one or more of the following operations: [0088] opening a pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1; [0089] closing the pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1; [0090] opening a cutting unit 13 of the wrapping system 1; [0091] closing the cutting unit 13 of the wrapping system 1; [0092] rotating the pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1; [0093] rotating a wrapper satellite 14 around the bale B to be wrapped.

[0094] The method includes a step of displaying F6 commands on the display 111. In particular, the processor of the mobile device 11 generates graphic data. The graphic data are rendered on the display 111 to display one or more graphic elements 5. Said one or more graphic elements include a group of command elements 51, which are used to insert the control inputs, and a group of displaying element 52, which are used to display parameter of the wrapping operations, determined as a function of the operation data 103.

[0095] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes a setting button 511. The setting button 511 is clickable and when the operator clicks on the setting button 511, the processor display on the screen a first automation button 512.

[0096] The first automation button 512 allows to perform a certain operation of the wrapping system 1 autonomously (or automatically). In particular, according to an embodiment, responsive to a click of the first automation button 512, the processor generates a command message to instruct the control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1 in performing the pair of rollers 12 opening autonomously (or automatically). However, the first automation button 512 may be used to instruct the control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1 in performing autonomously (or automatically) any action performed by the wrapper.

[0097] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes a counting button 513.

[0098] The counting button 513 is clickable and when the operator clicks on the counting button 513, the processor display on the screen a first label 514 and/or a second label 515.

[0099] The first label 514 displays the number of wrapped bales in a first interval of time. The second label 515 displays the number of wrapped bales in a second interval of time, greater than the first interval of time.

[0100] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes a counting reset button 516. The counting reset button 516 is clickable and when the operator clicks on the counting reset button 516, the first label is set to zero. In other words, the number of wrapped bales in the first interval of time is set to zero.

[0101] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes a coupling button 517. The coupling button 517 is clickable and when the operator clicks on the coupling button 517, the processor sends the coupling signal to the control unit 10 of the wrapping system.

[0102] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes an operations button 518. The operations button 518 is clickable and when the operator clicks on the operations button 518, the processor displays one or more control buttons.

[0103] Said one or more control button includes a cutting opening button 519. The cutting opening button 519 is clickable and when a user clicks on the cutting opening button 519, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform the opening of the cutting unit 13 of the wrapping system 1.

[0104] Said one or more control button includes a cutting closing button 520. The cutting closing button 520 is clickable and when a user clicks on the cutting closing button 520, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform the closing of the cutting unit 13 of the wrapping system 1.

[0105] Said one or more control button includes a rollers opening button 521. The rollers opening button 521 is clickable and when a user clicks on the rollers opening button 521, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform the opening of the pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1.

[0106] Said one or more control button includes a rollers closing button 522. The rollers closing button 522 is clickable and when a user clicks on the rollers closing button 522, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform the closing of the pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1.

[0107] Said one or more control button includes a rollers rotation button 523. The rollers rotation button 523 is clickable and when a user clicks on the rollers rotation button 523, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to put in rotation the pair of rollers 12 of the wrapping system 1.

[0108] Said one or more control button includes a satellite rotation button 524. The satellite rotation button 524 is clickable and when a user clicks on the satellite rotation button 524, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to put in rotation the wrapper satellite 14 of the wrapping system 1.

[0109] Said one or more control button includes a second automation button 525. The second automation button 525 is clickable and when a user clicks on the second automation button 525, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform automatically a sequence of wrapping operations among the wrapping operations.

[0110] Said one or more control button includes a starter button 526. The starter button 526 is clickable and when a user clicks on the starter button 526, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to start the sequence of wrapping operations that the control unit 10 control automatically without any other control inputs 101.

[0111] In one embodiment, said one or more control button have to be kept pressed continuously while the correspondent wrapping operation is performed. In other words, when clicking one of said one or more control button, the correspondent wrapping operation is performed only if the button is continuously pressed until the operation is finished.

[0112] When the operator clicks on the operations button 518, the processor displays a turn counting label 527, displaying the number of turns performed on the bale B by the wrapper satellite 14.

[0113] Said one or more control button includes a satellite turns button 528. The satellite turns button 528 is clickable and when a user clicks on the satellite turns button 528, the operator can set a desired number of turns that the wrapper satellite 14 should perform around the bale. When a user clicks on the satellite turns button 528, the processor sends to the control unit 10 of the wrapper a command message 102 to instruct the control unit 10 to perform a number of turns of the wrapper satellite 14 around the bale B equal to the desired number of turns.

[0114] When the operator clicks on the operations button 518, the processor displays a speed label 529, displaying the rotational speed of the pair of rollers 12 or/and of the wrapper satellite 14.

[0115] In one embodiment, the group of commands includes a vocal button 530. When the vocal button 530 is clicked, the mobile device 11 activates a microphone to receive audio data from the operator, to control the wrapping system using vocal commands.

[0116] According to one aspect of the present description, the command message 102 is created according to ISO11873. In particular, the command message 102 includes a first part, indicating the start of the frame. The command message 102 includes a second part, indicating the length of the command message 102. The command message 102 includes a third part, having a value representative of the command type. The command message 102 includes a fourth part, representative of the address sending the command message 102.

[0117] The command message 102 includes a fifth part, representative of the content of the command message 102. In other words, the fifth part of the command message 102 is representative of the instruction that the processor wants to send to the control unit 10 of the wrapping system 1. The command message includes a sixth part, representing a checksum of the command message 102. Finally, the command message 102 include the end of the frame.

[0118] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method provides a step for controlling conflict of command message between the mobile device 11 and a main user interface, placed on the wrapper.

[0119] In the step of conflict control, the control unit 10 receive the command message 102 from the mobile device 11 and a main command message from the main user interface. The main command message includes an address that is different from the address of the command message 102. In this way, the control unit 10 knows who is sending the message avoiding the conflict.

[0120] In other embodiments, the main command message and the command message 102 have the same address. In this embodiment, the processor of the mobile device 11 or the main user interface send a notification indicating that two different devices are connected to the control unit 10. In the notification, the operator can choose which device should be disconnect and which one should be keep connected with the control unit 10, to control the wrapping system 1.